Pages

Monday, 17 February 2014

How do people cope with an armed robbery?

Two weeks ago in one of the places I volunteer there was an
armed robbery. What do you say to people who have had a gun pulled on them?
‘Are you ok?’ you refrain from asking what happened as you don’t want to be
seen as just wanting the details, but they tell you anyway, you offer sympathy
and life moves on.

Last week there was another armed robbery, I didn’t see the
gun men but I was on the premises, having opted to stay in another part of
the building to finish a task rather than join the staff for lunch.

One by one the clients returned to the area I was in and I
started to realise something was wrong. I didn’t rush down to the offices, I
stayed with those who’s home had been invaded for the 2nd time and I
listened to their fears.

I was holding back tears, panic and fear. I wanted to leave.
I’m not South African, I haven’t spent my life preparing to face an armed
robber.

About an hour later I ventured down to the office, I was
asked if I was OK and where I’d been when it happened. The police were still
there, taking statements. I listened to individuals recount their versions, I
made tea, that’s what we British do in a crisis, what else could I possibly do.

Everyone was thanked and praised for their handling of the
situation by the senior staff, everyone had done as they were instructed by the
armed robbers and everyone remembered to do as they’d been advised.

·Don’t make eye contact

·Do as you’re told, hand over phones, keys

·Don’t attempt to take control

·Don’t argue

No one was hurt, the whole incident took between 5-6
minutes, everyone remained calm and the armed robbers left. The police were
called, statements were made, debriefing took place and then everyone carried
on with their jobs.

Me? I went home, in tears, had to stop at a mall for a
coffee to calm down, spent the rest of the day with a friend until my husband
returned from work and spent 2 days ‘what if?’ ‘if only’ ‘I want to return to
the UK’ ‘I don’t feel safe’

I’ve gone into lock down mode, just like when we first
arrived. Carry only what I need, phone and keys in my pocket, a small purse, no
handbag. This happened in a place I volunteer, it’s a charity, these people are
disabled, they have nothing, why hold a gun to their heads?

The fear of being involved in an armed robbery is now a reality, one I don't want to have to face or live in fear of actually happening.